U.S. patent application number 11/754668 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-04 for rear mounted pivoting treadmill cushioning.
This patent application is currently assigned to SPORTCRAFT, LTD.. Invention is credited to John A. Erlandson.
Application Number | 20080300115 11/754668 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40088963 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080300115 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Erlandson; John A. |
December 4, 2008 |
REAR MOUNTED PIVOTING TREADMILL CUSHIONING
Abstract
A treadmill is described herein that utilizes a simple mechanism
that absorbs impacts delivered to the treadmill by a user during
use. The treadmill includes a frame for supporting an endless belt.
A forward structure supports a first end of the frame. A pivoting
structure supports and the second end of the frame and provides
impact absorption. The pivoting structure includes a pivot arm that
is pivotally affixed to an underside of the frame. A roller is
mounted on a roller axle proximate the free end of the pivot arm. A
spring is provided that has a first end in communication with the
frame and has a second end in communication with the pivot arm for
biasing the pivot arm away from the frame. Preferably, the spring
surrounds a limiter that limits the maximum amount of travel that
the pivot arm can extend away from the frame.
Inventors: |
Erlandson; John A.;
(Flanders, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FELLERS SNIDER BLANKENSHIP;BAILEY & TIPPENS
THE KENNEDY BUILDING, 321 SOUTH BOSTON SUITE 800
TULSA
OK
74103-3318
US
|
Assignee: |
SPORTCRAFT, LTD.
Mt. Olive
NJ
|
Family ID: |
40088963 |
Appl. No.: |
11/754668 |
Filed: |
May 29, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/54 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2225/09 20130101;
A63B 22/0207 20151001; A63B 22/0235 20130101; A63B 2210/50
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/54 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/00 20060101
A63B022/00 |
Claims
1. A treadmill comprising: a frame for supporting an endless belt,
said frame having a first end and a second end; a forward structure
for supporting said first end of said frame; a pivoting structure
proximate said second end of said frame, said pivoting structure
having a pivot arm having a secured end and a free end, said
secured end pivotally affixed to said frame; a resilient member
located between said frame and said pivot arm for biasing said
pivot arm away from said frame.
2. The treadmill according to claim 1 further comprising: said
frame having a pivot anchor and a limiter anchor, each proximate
said second end and extending from an underside of said frame.
3. The treadmill according to claim 1 further comprising: a forward
structure for supporting said first end of said frame, said forward
structure comprising a base structure, a vertical member attached
to said base structure, and a console attached to said vertical
member.
4. The treadmill according to claim 1 wherein: said pivot arm has a
left flange and a right flange, said left flange and said right
flange connected via a spanning member, said spanning member
defining an orifice.
5. The treadmill according to claim 1 wherein said resilient member
is a spring.
6. The treadmill according to claim 1 wherein said resilient member
is an elastomeric member.
7. The treadmill according to claim 4 further comprising: a limiter
threadably received within said limiter anchor and passing through
said orifice of said spanning member, said limiter having a head
engaging said spanning member for limiting travel of said pivot arm
away from said frame.
8. The treadmill according to claim 7 wherein: said resilient
member is a spring; and said spring surrounds said limiter for
biasing said pivot arm away from said frame.
9. The treadmill according to claim 7 wherein: said resilient
member is an elastomeric sleeve; and said elastomeric sleeve
surrounds said limiter for biasing said pivot arm away from said
frame.
10. The treadmill according to claim 7 wherein: said limiter may be
rotated to adjust an amount of travel of said pivot arm.
11. The treadmill according to claim 1 further comprising a roller
mounted on a roller axle proximate said free end of said pivot
arm.
12. A treadmill comprising: a frame for supporting an endless belt,
said frame having a first end and a second end; a forward support
proximate said first end of said frame; and a compressible support
extending from said second end of said frame for providing
cushioning support of said second end of said frame.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to exercise treadmills, and
more particularly to a treadmill utilizing cushioning members that
cushion the impact caused by users when exercising on the
treadmill.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is well established that regular exercise is beneficial.
Many exercise enthusiasts, especially those who are older, prefer
low impact exercise that results in reduced foot impact shocks to
the legs and leg joints as compared to running on a hard
surface.
[0003] Treadmills allow individuals to walk or run indoors by
moving a continuous belt about two rollers. The user walks or runs
on the belt, which passes over the supporting deck that supports
the user's body weight. The speed of the belt may be controlled by
a motor.
[0004] Early treadmill designs used supporting decks that were
rigidly attached to a frame. Typically, the frame was not provided
with a shock absorber for absorbing the shock of foot impact.
Recently, treadmills have been introduced that utilize a mechanism
to absorb some of the impact generated by a user striking the
treadmill while running or walking. Various mechanisms have been
implemented for impact absorption.
[0005] It is desirable to provide a treadmill cushion mechanism
that is simple and low cost, yet effective for reducing impact.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A treadmill is described herein that includes a frame for
supporting an endless belt. A forward structure is provided for
supporting a first end of the frame. The forward structure
preferably includes a base structure, a vertical member attached to
the base structure, and a console attached to the vertical member.
Examples of typical treadmills include "fold on roller" types,
wherein a frame may be pivoted upwardly, but wherein the motor
remains in its original position. An example of another type of
treadmill is a type wherein an entire unit pivots upwardly with
respect to the forward structure, including the motor. For purposes
of this application, in each embodiment, the first end of the frame
is defined as the end nearest the forward structure, while the
second end of the frame is defined as the opposite end, which is
raised when the frame is folded into an upright configuration.
[0007] A pivoting structure is provided proximate a second end of
the frame for supporting the second end of the frame and for
cushioning impacts delivered to the frame by running or walking on
the belt. The pivoting structure includes a pivot arm having a
secured end and a free end, wherein the secured end is pivotally
affixed to the frame. The pivot arm preferably has a left flange
and a right flange. A roller is mounted on a roller axle proximate
the free end of the pivot arm. The pivoting structure is preferably
mounted on a pivot anchor provided on an underside of the frame.
The left flange and the right flange of the pivot arm are connected
via a spanning member that defines an orifice.
[0008] A spring is provided that has a first end in communication
with the frame and has a second end in communication with the pivot
arm for biasing the pivot arm away from the frame. A limiter anchor
is provided proximate the second end of the frame that extends from
an underside of the frame. A limiter is received within the limiter
anchor and passes through the orifice of the spanning member.
Preferably, the spring surrounds the limiter. The limiter
preferably has a head that engages the spanning member for limiting
the maximum amount of travel that the pivot arm can extend away
from the frame.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a treadmill utilizing the
pivot support structure of the invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the pivoting
support structure shown extending beneath a treadmill frame of the
treadmill of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevational view of the pivot support
structure of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional elevation view
of the pivoting support structure of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0013] Referring first to FIG. 1, an elevational view of a
treadmill is shown, designated generally 10. Frame 12 is provided
for supporting an endless belt 11 that functions as a moving
surface upon which an exerciser may run or walk. The endless belt
is typically mounted on forward roller 14 and rearward roller 16.
Frame 12 has a first end 18 and a second end 20. Frame 12 is
provided with a pivot anchor 22 and a limiter anchor 24, each of
which are proximate second end 20 of frame 12. Pivot anchor 22
(FIGS. 1-7) and limiter anchor 24 (FIGS. 1-6) each extend from an
underside of frame 12.
[0014] A forward structure, as shown in FIG. 1, is designated
generally 26. Forward structure 26 is provided for supporting first
end 18 of frame 12. Forward structure 26 includes a base structure
30. Vertical member 32 extends upwardly from base structure 30.
Typically, a console 34 is provided on an upper end of vertical
member 32. Hand grips 36 may be provided that extend from forward
structure 26. A plurality of feet 38 are typically provided to
support forward structure 26.
[0015] Rear support or pivoting structure 40 (FIGS. 1-7) is
provided to support second end 20 of frame 12. Pivoting structure
40 includes a pivot arm 42. Pivot arm 42 (FIGS. 1-7) has a secured
end 44 and a free end 46. Secured end 44 is pivotally affixed to
pivot anchor 22 by pivot axle 48. Pivot arm 42 is provided with a
left flange 50 and a right flange 52. Left flange 50 and right
flange 52 are connected to one another via spanning member 54.
Spanning member 54 (FIGS. 4 and 7) defines an orifice 56 (FIGS. 4
and 7). A limiter such as bolt 58 is preferably threadably received
within limiter anchor 24. Bolt 58 passes through orifice 56 of
spanning member 54. Bolt 58 includes a head 60 (FIGS. 2-6) that
engages spanning member 54 for limiting travel of pivot arm 42 away
from frame 12. Spring 62 surrounds bolt 58 for biasing pivot arm 42
away from frame 12. A roller 64 is mounted on roller axle 66 on
free end 46 of pivot arm 42.
[0016] In one embodiment (FIGS. 5-7), spring 62 is surrounded with
elastomeric sleeves 68 to assist in resisting compression of spring
62.
[0017] In use, a user stands on the endless belt mounted on frame
12. During exercise, spring 62, which supports frame 12 and the
weight of the user, will be compressed, allowing for movement of
pivoting structure 40 on a right and left side of frame 12. Spring
62 and/or polymer sleeves 68 absorb some of the impact of the
user's weight on frame 12, thereby absorbing energy and decreasing
the amount of impact stress on a user's feet and legs.
[0018] The amount of compression resistance may be adjusted by
rotating bolt 58 to either increase or decrease compression of
spring 62. Roller 64 allows for pivot arm 42 to pivot freely about
pivot axle 48, which permits frame 12 to be easily flexed, which in
turn allows second end 20 of frame 12 to move toward and away from
a floor surface as required to absorb impact.
[0019] Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the
objectives and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as
well as those inherent therein. While presently preferred
embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure,
numerous changes and modifications will be apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art. Such changes and modifications are
encompassed within the spirit of this invention as defined by the
claims.
* * * * *